Silver coffee pot could set $6 million record at auction

Analysis & Opinion

LONDON (Reuters) - An 18th century silver Rococo coffee pot is expected to become the most valuable piece of English silver ever sold at auction when it goes up for sale in July, auction house Christie's said.

The ornate George II pot made in 1738 by one of the greatest silversmiths of his day, Paul de Lamerie, is expected to fetch up to 4.5 million pounds ($6.8 million) when it goes to auction on July 4 in London, Christie's said on Wednesday.

That sale would trump the silver wine cistern of 18th century diplomat Thomas Wentworth, which sold for 2.5 million pounds in 2010 but went instead to a British museum which won time to raise funds when the government deferred export approval.

"He (Lamerie) is the greatest name in English silver," said James Lomax, retired curator at Temple Newsam House in northern England which eventually bought the Wentworth piece.